Method and device for retaining partially rolled-up collapsible containers

ABSTRACT

A method and device for retaining, in a rolled-up configuration, a portion of a collapsible container that holds a quantity of a product. The method includes forming a roll of a collapsible container holding a quantity of a product. The opening of a U-shaped clip is then urged into engagement with the roll of the collapsible container until the opening passes about the roll, and the roll becomes disposed between arms of the U-shaped clip. Thus arranged, an layer of a resilient, open-cell foam material lining the inside of the U-shaped clip is juxtaposed with and compressed by the roll of the collapsible container.

[0001] This is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 08/601,289filed Feb. 16, 1996, which issued Dec. 16, 1997, as U.S. Pat. No.5,697,139.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates generally to collapsible containersfor dispensing a product, and, more particularly, to a method forretaining a portion of such containers in a rolled-up configuration.

[0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0005] Dispensing a paste product, such as toothpaste, from acollapsible tube frequently, if not invariably, requires rolling-up, orfolding-up, an end of the tube that is located furthest from an end ofthe tube which dispenses the paste. Years ago, such tubes were madeexclusively from a soft metal that would take and hold a “set.” Once oneend of such a soft metal tube had been rolled-up or folded, the tubewould retain the rolled-up configuration. Presently, many such tubes aremade from a polymeric material that is more resilient than the materialused for metal tubes. That is, such plastic tubes do not take and hold a“set” as well as the metallic tubes.

[0006] For certain individuals, the resiliency of present tubes presentsan insurmountable problem. Specifically, a physically handicappedindividual who has the use of only one hand may be unable to dispense apaste from a partially empty, resilient, polymeric material tube. Whilesuch an individual may, using only one hand, be able to roll-up orfold-up a resilient, polymeric material tube, upon releasing the tube itimmediately unrolls thereby frustrating an attempt to dispense theproduct from the tube.

[0007] While the preceding problem may be most exacerbating whendispensing a paste from a tube, an analogous problem arises in holdingclosed plastic product bags, such as snack food bags, that are also madefrom a resilient polymeric material. In both instances, resilient,polymeric material must be retained in a rolled-up configuration. Themost significant difference in retaining a roll of resilient, polymericmaterial of a tube or of a bag is that, a bag must be unrolled andrerolled each occasion product is removed from the bag. Conversely, inprinciple a tube need never be unrolled, and the tube need be furtherrolled-up only intermittently as product is dispensed from the oppositeend of the tube.

[0008] While it may be readily apparent that mechanically retaining arolled-up end of a tube or bag addresses the preceding difficulties, theform for and method of using such a mechanical retainer is not readilyapparent. In both of the preceding situations, but particularly whendispensing a paste product from a tube, the mechanical retainer mustaccommodate an ever larger roll of polymeric material as the tube or bagretains ever less product. Moreover, such polymeric tube or bagmaterials are slick which permits them to easily slip out of simple,common mechanical retainers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] An object of the present invention is to provide a simple methodand device for retaining a product container in a rolled-up or folded-upconfiguration.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to provide a simplemethod and device for retaining a product container in a rolled-up orfolded-up configuration that may be easily installed or removed.

[0011] Another object of the present invention is to provide a methodand device for retaining a product container in a rolled-up or folded-upconfiguration that does not inadvertently slip off.

[0012] Another object of the present invention is to provide a methodand device for retaining a product container in a rolled-up or folded-upconfiguration that does not cut or scratch the product container.

[0013] Another object of the present invention is to provide a simplemethod and device for retaining a product container in a rolled-up orfolded-up configuration that may be performed using only one hand.

[0014] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide aneconomic method and device for retaining a product container in arolled-up or folded-up configuration.

[0015] Briefly, the present invention includes both a method and devicefor retaining, in a rolled-up configuration, a portion of a collapsiblecontainer that holds a quantity of a product. The method includesforming at least a portion of a collapsible container holding a quantityof a product into a convoluted roll. A U-shaped clip, having a thickinner layer of a resilient, open-cell foam material bonded to a muchthinner, continuous, outer structural layer of a flexible material, isslipped about the convoluted roll. The layer of structural material,which supports the foam material, includes a pair of opposing,spaced-apart arms that are joined to each other by a juncture segment ofthe layer of structural material located at a base of the U-shaped clip.The inner layer of foam material substantially fills a gap locatedbetween the opposing, spaced-apart arms of the U-shaped clip. Theopposing, spaced-apart arms provide an opening between ends thereof,that extend away from the base of the U-shaped clip, which is adaptedfor admitting a convoluted roll of a collapsible container between theopposing, spaced-apart arms. When the convoluted roll is disposedbetween the spaced-apart arms, the foam material becomes juxtaposed withand compresses to conform to the convoluted roll.

[0016] These and other features, objects and advantages will beunderstood or apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art from thefollowing detailed description of the preferred embodiment asillustrated in the various drawing figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017]FIG. 1 is a perspective drawing illustrating, in accordance withthe present invention, engagement and juxtaposition of an inner layer ofresilient, open-cell foam material included in a U-shaped clip with apartially rolled-up, collapsible container;

[0018]FIG. 2 is a perspective drawing illustrating in greater detail theU-shaped clip depicted in FIG. 1;

[0019]FIG. 3 is an elevational view of the U-shaped clip taken along theline 3-3 in FIG. 2;

[0020]FIG. 4 is a plan view of the U-shaped clip taken along the line4-4 in FIG. 3;

[0021]FIG. 5 is an elevational view of the U-shaped clip taken along theline 5-5 in FIG. 3;

[0022]FIG. 6 is an elevational view of the U-shaped clip taken along theline 6-6 in FIG. 3;

[0023]FIG. 7 is an elevational view, similar to the view of FIG. 3, ofan alternative embodiment U-shaped clip in accordance with the presentinvention;

[0024]FIG. 8 is an elevational view, similar to the view of FIG. 3, ofan alternative embodiment U-shaped clip having laminated layers ofresilient material one of which covers projecting ends of the clip'sopposing, spaced-apart arms; and

[0025]FIG. 9 is an elevational view, similar to the view of FIG. 3, ofan alternative embodiment U-shaped clip having a single, thin layer ofresilient material one of which covers projecting ends of the clip'sopposing, spaced-apart arms.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0026]FIG. 1 illustrates a collapsible container 12 illustrated in FIG.1 with dashed lines, e.g a toothpaste tube, that holds a quantity of aproduct. A portion of the collapsible container 12, furthest from an end14, which in the instance of a toothpaste tube dispenses the product,has been formed into a convoluted roll 16. FIG. 1 also illustratesengagement and juxtaposition of a thick inner layer 22 of resilient,open-cell foam material included in a U-shaped clip 24 with theconvoluted roll 16 of the collapsible container 12. As illustrated inFIG. 1, when the U-shaped clip 24 is applied to the collapsiblecontainer 12 the inner layer 22 becomes juxtaposed with and compressesto conform to the convoluted roll 16. Referring now to FIGS. 3 through7, the inner layer 22 of the U-shaped clip 24 is bonded to a continuous,outer layer 26 of a structural material that is much thinner than theinner layer 22.

[0027] The outer layer 26 of the U-shaped clip 24 provides a pair ofopposing, spaced-apart arms 32, most clearly illustrated in FIGS. 3 and7. As best illustrated by an alternative embodiment of the presentinvention depicted in FIG. 7, the opposing, spaced-apart arms 32 arejoined together by a juncture segment 34 of the outer layer 26 that islocated at a base 36 of the U-shaped clip 24. Those elements of thealternative embodiment U-shaped clip 24 depicted in FIG. 7 that arecommon to the U-shaped clip 24 depicted in FIGS. 1-6 carry the samereference numeral distinguished by a prime (“′”) designation. Ends 38 ofthe opposing, spaced-apart arms 32 that extend away from the base 36 ofthe U-shaped clip 24 provide an opening 42.

[0028] Referring again to FIG. 1, to retain the collapsible container 12in the rolled-up configuration, the inner layer 22 about the opening 42provided by the opposing, spaced-apart arms 32 is urged into engagementwith the convoluted roll 16, as illustrated by an arrow 52 in FIG. 1,until the opening 42 passes about the convoluted roll 16. In this way,the convoluted roll 16 becomes disposed between the opposing,spaced-apart arms 32 of the U-shaped clip 24 with the foam materialinner layer 22 being juxtaposed with and compressing to conform to theconvoluted roll 16 of the collapsible container 12.

[0029] As best illustrated in FIG. 3, spacing between the opposing,spaced-apart arms 32 of the outer layer 26 preferably varies along theopposing, spaced-apart arms 32 extending from the juncture segment 34 atthe base 36 of the U-shaped clip 24 to the ends 38 of the opposing,spaced-apart arms 32 distal from the base 36. More specifically, spacingbetween the opposing, spaced-apart arms 32 preferably increases to amaximum extent immediately adjacent to the base 36, and then decreasesto a minimum further away from the base 36. Finally, about the opening42, the ends 38 of the opposing, spaced-apart arms 32 again diverge awayfrom each other. The preceding shape for the U-shaped clip 24 wellsuited for accommodating the convoluted roll 16 of the collapsiblecontainer 12.

[0030]FIG. 8 depicts an alternative embodiment of the U-shaped clip 24having a laminated inner layer 22. Those elements of the alternativeembodiment U-shaped clip 24 depicted in FIG. 8 that are common to theU-shaped clip 24 depicted in FIGS. 1-6 carry the same reference numeraldistinguished by a double prime (“″”) designation. The laminated innerlayer 22″ includes a first layer 62 of foam material that is bonded tothe outer layer 26″. The first layer 62 is covered by a second layer 64of open cell foam material which is bonded to a surface 66 of the firstlayer 62 opposite to a surface 68 of the first layer 62 that is bondedto the outer layer 26″. Because only the second layer 64 can contact theconvoluted roll 16 of the collapsible container 12, only the secondlayer 64 need be made from an open cell foam material. Preferably, thesecond layer 64 encircles the ends 38″ of the opposing, spaced-apartarms 32″ of the outer layer 26″.

[0031]FIG. 9 depicts yet another alternative embodiment of the U-shapedclip 24. Those elements of the alternative embodiment U-shaped clip 24depicted in FIG. 9 that are common to the U-shaped clip 24 depicted inFIGS. 1-6 carry the same reference numeral distinguished by a tripleprime (“″′”) designation. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 9, theinner layer 22″′ is formed by a thin layer of open cell foam materialarranged to encircle the ends 38″′ of the opposing, spaced-apart arms32″′ of the outer layer 26″′.

[0032] It has been experimentally determined that the inner layer 22 ispreferably formed from a high-density, open-cell polyurethane material.Neither foam rubber nor cloth possess sufficient compressibility, orexhibit sufficient friction to retain the U-shaped clip 24 on theresilient polymeric material presently used for collapsible containers12 such as an 8.0 oz. toothpaste tube. When bonded to and supported bythe outer layer 26, high-density, open-cell polyurethane materialexhibits frictional properties which permit the inner layer 22 to notstick, but to slide easily across the resilient polymeric materialpresently used for collapsible containers 12 such as toothpaste tubes.However, after the U-shaped clip 24 has been installed onto theconvoluted roll 16, the high-density, open-cell polyurethane materialcompresses sufficiently and exhibits sufficient friction that theU-shaped clip 24 does not inadvertently slip off the convoluted roll 16.

[0033] The U-shaped clip 24, when adapted for use with a standard sized,8.0 oz., toothpaste tube, is preferably approximately 1.5 inches longfrom the base 36 to the ends 38. The thick, high-density, open-cellpolyurethane inner layer 22 adapted for use with such a collapsiblecontainer 12 is at least 0.125 in thick, and is preferably 0.250 in. ormore thick. The much thinner outer layer 26 may be formed from athermoformable, hi-impact styrene material 0.060 in thick.Alternatively, the outer layer 26 may be formed from another polymericor a metallic material that exhibits mechanical properties similar tohi-impact styrene material. The U-shaped clip 24 preferably has a widthacross the opposing, spaced-apart arms 32 of approximately 0.625 in. Agap 56 between the opposing, spaced-apart arms 32 preferably increasesto a maximum width of approximately 0.600 in. both adjacent to the base36 and at the ends 38. Between these locations of maximum width, the gap56 between the opposing, spaced-apart arms 32 decreases to approximately0.400 in. Accordingly, the thick inner layer 22 substantially fills thegap 56 between the opposing, spaced-apart arms 32 even if the U-shapedclip 24 is not retaining the convoluted roll 16 of the collapsiblecontainer 12.

[0034] To fabricate the U-shaped clip 24, a sheet of foam material isbonded to a sheet of hi-impact styrene material, polycarbonate materialsuch as Lexan®, or metallic material. This bond is preferably formed bya rubber-based, double sided, pressure-sensitive-adhesive tape such asAvery 8302 which provides an immediate, high-shear bond between theinner layer 22 and the outer layer 26. A high-shear bond between theinner layer 22 and the outer layer 26 resists peeling of the inner layer22 off the outer layer 26 as the U-shaped clip 24 slides past theconvoluted roll 16 of the collapsible container 12. To assist inresisting peeling, the edges of the inner layer 22 immediately adjacentto the ends 38 may be beveled before bonding the inner layer 22 andouter layer 26 together. The second layer 64 and inner layer 22″′ ofthin open cell foam material, e.g. 0.100 inch thick, respectivelydepicted in FIGS. 8 and 9 similarly assists in resisting peeling of theinner layer 22 from the outer layer 26 by encircling the ends 38″ or38″′ of the opposing, spaced-apart arms 32″ or 32″ of the outer layer26″ or 26″′.

[0035] The bonded sheet, consisting of foam material and structuralmaterial, is then cut into elongated strips having a width substantiallyequal to the distance between the ends 38 along the outer layer 26.These strips of bonded foam material and structural material are thenformed into various shapes such as those depicted in FIGS. 3, 7, 8 or 9,or any other equivalent desired shape. If the outer layer 26 if formedby hi-impact styrene material, the bonded sheet is thermoformed. If theouter layer 26 is formed by a polycarbonate material such as Lexan, thenthe bonded sheet may be formed mechanically as contrasted withthermoforming. Finally, the formed strips are cut into individualU-shaped clips 24 having any desired width, for example 0.625 in.

[0036] Alternatively, the outer layer 26 substantially in its finalfinished shape may first be extruded, after which the inner layer 22 isbonded to the extruded outer layer 26. Bonding the inner layer 22 to apre-shaped, extruded outer layer 26 eliminates any need forthermoforming or mechanically forming a flat, bonded sheet of the innerlayer 22 and the outer layer 26 before cutting bonded strips into theU-shaped clips 24.

[0037] Although the present invention has been described in terms of thepresently preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that suchdisclosure is purely illustrative and is not to be interpreted aslimiting. While the method of the present invention has been illustratedabove in connection with retaining a rolled-up toothpaste tube, themethod may also be employed to hold closed other types of collapsibleproduct containers. For example, the method of the present invention maybe used to retain a rolled-up plastic bag that contains a product suchas a snack food, or may be used to retain unconvoluted objects that aresufficiently thick to compress the inner layer 22 of foam material.Consequently, without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention, various alterations, modifications, and/or alternativeapplications of the invention will, no doubt, be suggested to thoseskilled in the art after having read the preceding disclosure.Accordingly, it is intended that the following claims be interpreted asencompassing all alterations, modifications, or alternative applicationsas fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A U-shaped clip adapted for retaining in arolled-up configuration a portion of a collapsible container that holdsa quantity of a product, the U-shaped clip comprising: an inner layer ofa resilient foam material; and a continuous, outer layer of structuralmaterial to which said inner layer of foam material is bonded, saidlayer of structural material mechanically supporting said inner layer offoam material; said layer of structural material including a pair ofopposing, spaced-apart arms that are joined to each other by a juncturesegment of said layer of structural material located at a base of theU-shaped clip; said inner layer of foam material substantially filling agap located between the opposing, spaced-apart arms of the U-shapedclip; and the opposing, spaced-apart arms providing an opening betweenprojecting ends thereof that extend away from the base of the U-shapedclip, the opening being adapted for admitting a convoluted roll of acollapsible container into the U-shaped clip between the opposing,spaced-apart arms thereof with open-cell foam material included in saidinner layer of foam material becoming juxtaposed with and compressing toconform to the convoluted roll.
 2. The U-shaped clip of claim 1 whereinsaid inner layer of resilient foam material is open-cell foam materialthat is much thicker than said layer of structural material.
 3. TheU-shaped clip of claim 1 wherein the inner layer of resilient foammaterial is laminated having a first layer of foam material that isbonded to said layer of structural material, the first layer of foammaterial being covered by a second layer of open cell foam materialwhich is bonded to a surface of the first layer opposite to a surfacethereof that is bonded to said layer of structural material.
 4. TheU-shaped clip of claim 3 wherein the second layer encircles theprojecting ends of the opposing, spaced-apart arms of said layer ofstructural material.
 5. The U-shaped clip of claim 1 wherein said innerlayer of resilient foam material is open-cell foam material having athickness approximately equal to a thickness of said layer of structuralmaterial, said inner layer of resilient foam material encircling theprojecting ends of the opposing, spaced-apart arms of said layer ofstructural material.
 6. The U-shaped clip of claim 1 wherein the gapbetween the opposing, spaced-apart arms of the U-shaped clip variesalong the opposing, spaced-apart arms extending from the juncturesegment located at the base of the U-shaped clip to the projecting endsof the opposing, spaced-apart arms distal from the base thereof.
 7. TheU-shaped clip of claim 6 wherein the opposing, spaced-apart arms of theU-shaped clip diverge away from each other about the projecting endsthereof.
 8. The U-shaped clip of claim 1 wherein the opposing,spaced-apart arms of the U-shaped clip diverge away from each otherabout the projecting ends thereof.
 9. The U-shaped clip of claim 1wherein the foam material of said inner layer is a high-density,open-cell polyurethane material.
 10. The U-shaped clip of claim 1wherein said layer of structural material is formed from athermoformable, hi-impact styrene material.
 11. The U-shaped clip ofclaim 10 wherein the foam material of said inner layer includes ahigh-density, open-cell polyurethane material.
 12. The U-shaped clip ofclaim 1 wherein said layer of structural material is formed from apolycarbonate material.
 13. The U-shaped clip of claim 12 wherein thefoam material of said inner layer includes a high-density, open-cellpolyurethane material.
 14. The U-shaped clip of claim 1 wherein saidlayer of structural material is formed from a metal.
 15. The U-shapedclip of claim 14 wherein the foam material of said inner layer includesa high-density, open-cell polyurethane material.